From Ratchaburi, we headed our to Pattaya. Pattaya is Thailand’s #1 tourist destination. It is by the beach and known for its nightlife filled with bars and prostitution. It is one of the world’s top sex tourism destinations.
The drive took about 4 hours and it gave me a bit of time to reflect. The slum ministries like the one we just visited are so important. It is these children who are at the most risk to end up in Pattaya trafficked and sold into this world of under aged prostitution.
We arrived at around 2pm and found a hotel to stay at. Here’s a picture from outside our room.
We rested in the room till about 4pm, where we then headed to visit another slum ministry. We met Angela, a missionary from Milwaukee, who now lives in Thailand. She heads up the slum ministry here in Pattaya along with her staff of 2 Thai women. The community we visited was made up of poor Thai families and a camp of Cambodia families who are in Thailand illegally to do labor work. The thai families either pick up gargbage, sell drugs, or are involved in the sex trade. The Cambodian families do labor work at extremely low wages because they are not Thai. The cannot go back to Cambodia either, as it would be too expensive to pay off the police on both sides to let them leave Thailand and go back to their home. They are basically trapped in this community.
We drove into the community where we set up tarps and brought our a mobile library. About 40 kids ran out to greet us. Angela and her team come every Tuesday and Thursday, so the kids were waiting for us to arrive. We sat on the tarps and read the children bible stories and help cut the nails of the children who needed it. I tried to use my limited Thai to have conversations with the kids. After this we sang some songs, played a few games, and did a skit about the widow and her 2 coins. We ended the time with some coloring and crafts, and passed out treats to the children to eat.
When we got back to Angela’s office we were able to ask a few questions. She explained how ministry is difficult in Pattaya because how easily it is for the children to get lost in the darkness that is Pattaya.
After this we headed to “The Crossing.” The Crossing is ministry that serves as a youth center for youth. They have 2 skateboard ramps, a pool table, music instruments, and snacks. This was the first time for me in Thailand to see this kind of ministry. The Crossing is open from 6p-1am and kids can come to hang out and do the things they enjoy. The idea is to get the kids to go there and be in this community as opposed to just being out on the streets. The center does worship for the kids and try to share the gospel with the kids that come out.
We met Bobby who was on of the first fruits of The Crossing. Over 10 years ago, it was there that he became a Christian. He came from a broken family, was involved with drugs and alcohol, when he met Jesus at “The Crossing.” He turned his life over to Jesus, went to Discipleship Training with Ywam and came back to “The Crossing,” and now serves as a staff member.
As a talked with Bobby, I realized what a powerful and effective ministry this was. I came to know Christ through playing basketball, and now these kids were being shared the gospel through skateboarding and billiards. They were reaching the people by becoming the people first.
The drive took about 4 hours and it gave me a bit of time to reflect. The slum ministries like the one we just visited are so important. It is these children who are at the most risk to end up in Pattaya trafficked and sold into this world of under aged prostitution.
We arrived at around 2pm and found a hotel to stay at. Here’s a picture from outside our room.
We rested in the room till about 4pm, where we then headed to visit another slum ministry. We met Angela, a missionary from Milwaukee, who now lives in Thailand. She heads up the slum ministry here in Pattaya along with her staff of 2 Thai women. The community we visited was made up of poor Thai families and a camp of Cambodia families who are in Thailand illegally to do labor work. The thai families either pick up gargbage, sell drugs, or are involved in the sex trade. The Cambodian families do labor work at extremely low wages because they are not Thai. The cannot go back to Cambodia either, as it would be too expensive to pay off the police on both sides to let them leave Thailand and go back to their home. They are basically trapped in this community.
We drove into the community where we set up tarps and brought our a mobile library. About 40 kids ran out to greet us. Angela and her team come every Tuesday and Thursday, so the kids were waiting for us to arrive. We sat on the tarps and read the children bible stories and help cut the nails of the children who needed it. I tried to use my limited Thai to have conversations with the kids. After this we sang some songs, played a few games, and did a skit about the widow and her 2 coins. We ended the time with some coloring and crafts, and passed out treats to the children to eat.
When we got back to Angela’s office we were able to ask a few questions. She explained how ministry is difficult in Pattaya because how easily it is for the children to get lost in the darkness that is Pattaya.
After this we headed to “The Crossing.” The Crossing is ministry that serves as a youth center for youth. They have 2 skateboard ramps, a pool table, music instruments, and snacks. This was the first time for me in Thailand to see this kind of ministry. The Crossing is open from 6p-1am and kids can come to hang out and do the things they enjoy. The idea is to get the kids to go there and be in this community as opposed to just being out on the streets. The center does worship for the kids and try to share the gospel with the kids that come out.
We met Bobby who was on of the first fruits of The Crossing. Over 10 years ago, it was there that he became a Christian. He came from a broken family, was involved with drugs and alcohol, when he met Jesus at “The Crossing.” He turned his life over to Jesus, went to Discipleship Training with Ywam and came back to “The Crossing,” and now serves as a staff member.
As a talked with Bobby, I realized what a powerful and effective ministry this was. I came to know Christ through playing basketball, and now these kids were being shared the gospel through skateboarding and billiards. They were reaching the people by becoming the people first.
I'm glad you are able to visit the different ministries out there. All seem very unique and purposeful. Mission comes in different forms. Awesome! Keeping you guys in our prayers. Does your wives need anything? they are being too nice and not asking for help. =)
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